The Choosing ✔️

The news

My apartment came right in view. I jog up the stairs. Crying. Not a good sign. I hurry dropping my bag down rushing to the scene. My jaw clutches in anger and disappointment. I thought that Mrs. Radley was taking care of her today. I grab Ella out of the crib and head to the kitchen. I plop her on her seat and grab the food. Feeding her I turn on the TV.

"News is spreading about prince Kyle deciding to start the Choosing as soon as school is over. Hundreds of girls are lining up in front of the palace trying to get a glimpse of the prince giving his speech." The reporter reports. I'm tempted to shut it off, but this was the only channel that didn't have a cooking show playing.

"I'm honored to announce that I'm starting the Choosing in six days." He says as girls were dead silent trying to hear everything. I block off the rest. "...I give my luck too all girls." he ends leaving the podium. Then the shrieking starts again. I switch channels. I guess cooking channels are better.

"Mammmammbbb" Ella speaks. She is the only thing that keeps me here. Without her I would have runaway to some junk place and ruin my life.

"Trying to speak?" I grin at her. She grins back holding tight to my neck as I lift her.

"Girl, where are you?" A voice booms from a room scaring me half to death. I place Ella down and rush to the voice. No need to make him more mad.

"I want you to leave and take it  with you." My father says thrusting a paper in my direction. I grab it from the ground. I blink in confusion till my eyes stray to the stamp. My mouth hanging open in shock I forget that he called Ella it again. I take in a sharp intake of breath. My name typed in italics on the top of the page.

 Dear Miss Paterson,

You are selected as a participant of the Choosing. As soon as you are dismissed from graduation you are to be picked up in a limousine. You are allowed to bring anything with you and will be provided with more. If there are any concern please ask the Handmaid that will arrive in the limo to you.

Sincerely,

      The palace

"Go," My father shouts. "I don't ever want too see you again, you and it are not welcomed here." He was red from the face taking a swing from his bottle. I run out shaking glad he didn't blow. I still had bruises from two days ago. My dad is abusive. It started a few days after the funeral. My mom's. 

"Jane I need a ride," I say into the phone. I knew this day would come. I had been prepared. The day when he couldn't stand us any more and just kick us out. I'm glad that Ella would finally get out of this place, but at the same time I'm scared. I don't know what will happen. 

"What? Where?" Jane asks hurriedly.

"I'll tell you when you get here." I reply packing. I hang up and continue quickly. I was glad that I didn't have a lot of cloths. It all fits into two cases and two bags easily including Ella's things. I put Ella on the front steps.

"Can you watch her for a second, thanks." I tell Mrs. Debora who is sitting on the step herself. She was an old lady, but not too old. She's been our neighbor for years. She nods holding Ella. I take our bags out including some cash. I come out to find Jane playing with Ella.

"So are going to explain?" Jane asks raising an eyebrow. I nod sitting next to her. She knew about everything. My dad's drinking problem, but not about how he abuses me. Well she had confronted me but I lied, saying that my work was dangerous and that's where I get my bruises.